SES Astra will launch a 3D demo channel during the ANGA Cable 2010 show, which will be held from May 3 in Cologne, Germany. Wolfgang Elsaesser, MD of Astra Deutschland, told Broadband TV News that the new demo channel will be broadcast on the 23.5 East position. The Luxembourg based satellite operator has a long history of demoing and promoting new technologies and actively engage in setting standards.

During the presentation of the latest SES Astra Satellite Monitor in Berlin, Ferdinand Kayser, president an CEO of SES Astra, expects 3D to be one the ‘next big things.’

“But the 3D standards are not fixed yet,” he said. “3D can be received on current receivers, we are told by the pay TV operator, but you need a new flat screen. Our objective in the weeks and months to come is to reach a standard. It is not in the interest of the viewers to have confusion. In 2004 we did a similar drive for HD in a quite similar situation. Then we succeeded to incentivise and promote initiatives to agree to one technical standard.”

At the presentation, Sony was showing its 3D screen using active shutter glasses.